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Benny Powell

Trombonist Benny Powell joins Alyn Shipton to select his best discs with Lionel Hampton and Count Basie, plus examples of his work with Duke Ellington and pianist Randy Weston.

Benny Powell grew up in New Orleans to the sound of marching bands and jazz in the air. He joined Lionel Hampton in the 1940s and went on to be a key member of the 1950s Count Basie Orchestra, staying for several years. He joins Alyn Shipton to pick highlights from his records with both leaders, plus examples of his work with Duke Ellington and also his long-running association with pianist Randy Weston, which fuses jazz and African music.

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45 minutes

Last on

Boxing Day 2010 00:15
BBC Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Johnny Hodges

    C Jam Blues

    Composer: Ellington Performers: Roy Eldridge, t; Benny Powell, tb; Johnny Hodges, as; Harry Carney, bar; Nat Pierce / Jimmy Jones, p; Billy Butler, g; Joe Benjamin, b; Oliver Jackson, d. Jan 1967.

    • Triple Play.
    • Bluebird.
    • ND 90208.

  • Lionel Hampton

    Oh Rock

    Composer: Hampton Performers: Lionel Hampton, ldr, vib, voc; Benny Bailey, Quincy Jones, Leo Shepherd, Walter Williams,t; Benny Powell, Al Grey, Paul Lee, Jimmy Cleveland, tb; Bobby Plater, Jerome Richardson, Gil Bernal, Johnny Board, Curtis Lowe, Ben Kynard, reeds; Milt Buckner, p; Billy Mackel, g; Roy Johnson, b; Ellis Bartee, d. 17 Oct 1951.

    • 1951 1953.
    • Classics.
    • 1429.

  • Count Basie

    A Square at the Round Table

    Composer: Jones Performers: Count Basie, p, dir; Snooky Young, Joe Newman, Thad Jones, Wendell Culley, tp; Billy Mitchell, Charlie Fowlkes, Frank Foster, Frank Wess, Marshall Royal, reeds; Al Grey , Benny Powell , Henry Coker, tb; Freddie Green, g; Eddie Jones, b; Sonny Payne, d. New York City, 18 – 20 Dec 1958.

    • One More Time.
    • As Is.
    • 2869 335.

  • Count Basie

    L'il Darlin

    Composer: Hefti Performers: Count Basie, p, dir; Wendell Culley, Snooky Young, Thad Jones, Joe Newman, tp; Henry Coker, Al Grey, Benny Powell, tb; Marshall Royal, Frank Wess, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Frank Foster, Charles Fowlkes, reeds; Eddie Jones, b; Freddie Green, g; Sonny Payne, d.

    • Atomic Mr Basie.
    • Roulette.
    • CDP 7932732.

  • Count Basie and Billy Eckstine - Stormy Monday Blues

    Composer: Crowder / Hines / Eckstine Performers: Billy Eckstine, vocals, with the Count Basie Orchestra.

  • Duke Ellington & Count Basie - Battle Royal

    Composer: Ellington Performers: Count Basie Orchestra & Duke Ellington Orchestra, 1961.

  • Duke Ellington & Count Basie - Take the A Train

    Composer: Strayhorn Performers: Count Basie Orchestra & Duke Ellington Orchestra, 1961.

  • Duke Ellington

    Blem

    Composer: Ellington Performers: Duke Ellington, p; Wilile Cook, Cootie Williams, tp; Benny Green, Benny Powell, tb; Tyree Glenn, tb; Russell Procope, cl; Harold Minverve, fl; Paul Gonsalves, Harold Ashby, ts; Harry Carney, bs; Paul Kondiela, b; Rufus Jones, d. New York, 28 Apr 1969.

    • Up In Duke’s Workshop.
    • Pablo.
    • OJCCD 633-2.

  • Randy Weston

    Lalla Mira (Part 2)

    Composer: Weston Performers: Randy Weston, p; MBarek Ben Othman, voc; d; Abdenebi Oubella, Ahmed Saasaa, Mostafa Oubella, voc; Talib Qadir Kibwe, fl, as; Benny Powell, tb. 2003.

    • Spirit! The Power of Music.
    • SunnySide.
    • 3015.

  • Randy Weston

    Blue Moses

    Composer: Weston Performers: Randy Weston, p; T.K. Blue, ss; Benny Powell, tb; Alex Blake, b; Neil Clarke, perc. 2002.

    • Live In St. Lucia.
    • Image Entertainment.
    • 3007.

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  • Jazz Library

    Advice and guidance to those interested in building a library of jazz recordings